New challenges for efficient usage of Sargassum fusiforme for ruminant production.

Sargassum fusiforme, which is a type of brown algae, can provide fiber and minerals to ruminant diets. In this study, dried S. fusiforme was tested in vitro at four different doses 1, 3, 5, and 10% of the total ration for its effect on ruminal fermentation characteristics, and gas profiles when incubated for 72 h. At a level of 1 and 10%, S. fusiforme supplementation augmented total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations compared to that with 0% supplementation. In addition, total gas, methane, and carbon dioxide emissions significantly decreased at 3 and 24 h of incubation at this dose. An in situ trial was performed for 72 h with S. fusiforme to evaluate it as a potential feed ingredient by comparing its degradation parameters with timothy hay (Phleum pretense). 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy profiling was used to identify and quantify metabolites of S. fusiforme. Mannitol, guanidoacetate and ethylene glycol were largely accumulated in S. fusiforme. Moreover, nutritious minerals for feed ingredients were present in S. fusiforme. Whereas a high concentration of arsenic was found in S. fusiforme, it was within the allowable limit for ruminants. Our results suggest that S. fusiforme could represent an alternative, renewable feed ingredient for ruminant diets, with nutritional, as well as environmental, benefits.

Enhancing Butyrate Production, Ruminal Fermentation and Microbial Population through Supplementation with Clostridium saccharobutylicum.

Butyrate is known to play a significant role in energy metabolism and regulating genomic activities that influence rumen nutrition utilization and function. Thus, this study investigated the effects of an isolated butyrate-producing bacteria, Clostridium saccharobutylicum, in rumen butyrate production, fermentation parameters and microbial population in Holstein-Friesian cow. An isolated butyrate-producing bacterium from the ruminal fluid of a Holstein-Friesian cow was identified and characterized as Clostridium saccharobutylicum RNAL841125 using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. The bacterium was evaluated on its effects as supplement on in vitro rumen fermentation and microbial population. Supplementation with 106 CFU/ml Clostridium saccharobutylicum increased (p < 0.05) microbial crude protein, butyrate and total volatile fatty acids concentration but had no significant effect on NH3-N at 24 h incubation. Butyrate and total VFA concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) in supplementation with 106 CFU/ml Clostridium saccharobutylicum compared with control, with no differences observed for total gas production, NH3-N and propionate concentration. However, as the inclusion rate (CFU/ml) of C. saccharobutylicum was increased, reduction of rumen fermentation values was observed. Furthermore, butyrate-producing bacteria and Fibrobacter succinogenes population in the rumen increased in response with supplementation of C. saccharobutylicum, while no differences in the population in total bacteria, protozoa and fungi were observed among treatments. Overall, our study suggests that supplementation with 106 CFU/ml C. saccharobutylicum has the potential to improve ruminal fermentation through increased concentrations of butyrate and total volatile fatty acid, and enhanced population of butyrate-producing bacteria and cellulolytic bacteria F. succinogenes.

Effects of Medicinal Herb Extracts on In vitro Ruminal Methanogenesis, Microbe Diversity and Fermentation System.

This study was aimed to evaluate the in vitro effects of medicinal herb extracts (MHEs) on ruminal fermentation characteristics and the inhibition of protozoa to reduce methane production in the rumen. A fistulated Hanwoo was used as a donor of rumen fluid. The MHEs (T1, Veratrum patulum; T2, Iris ensata var. spontanea; T3, Arisaema ringens; T4, Carduus crispus; T5, Pueraria thunbergiana) were added to the in vitro fermentation bottles containing the rumen fluid and medium. Total volatile fatty acid (tVFA), total gas production, gas profiles, and the ruminal microbe communities were measured. The tVFA concentration was increased or decreased as compared to the control, and there was a significant (p<0.05) difference after 24 h incubation. pH and ruminal disappearance of dry matter did not show significant difference. As the in vitro ruminal fermentation progressed, total gas production in added MHEs was increased, while the methane production was decreased compared to the control. In particular, Arisaema ringens extract led to decrease methane production by more than 43%. In addition, the result of real-time polymerase chain reaction indicted that the protozoa population in all added MHEs decreased more than that of the control. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that MHEs could have properties that decrease ruminal methanogenesis by inhibiting protozoa species and might be promising feed additives for ruminants.

Changes in microbial diversity, methanogenesis and fermentation characteristics in the rumen in response to medicinal plant extracts.

This study evaluated the in vitro effect of medicinal plant extracts on ruminal methanogenesis, four different groups of methanogens and ruminal fermentation characteristics. A fistulated Holstein cow was used as a donor of rumen fluid. Licorice and mugwort extracts (Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Artemisia capillaris, 0.5% and 1% of total substrate DM, respectively), previously used as folk remedies, were added to an in vitro fermentation incubated with buffered-rumen fluid. Total gas production in Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract treatment was not significantly different between treatments (p<0.05) while total gas production in the Artemisia capillaris extract treatment was lower than that of the control. Artemisia capillaris extract and Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract reduced CH4 emission by 14% (p<0.05) and 8% (p<0.05), respectively. Ciliate-associated methanogens population decreased by 18% in the medicinal plant extracts treatments. Medicinal plant extracts also affected the order Methanobacteriales community. Methanobacteriales diversity decreased by 35% in the Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract treatment and 30% in the Artemisia capillaris extract treatment. The order Methanomicrobiales population decreased by 50% in the 0.5% of Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract treatment. These findings demonstrate that medicinal plant extracts have the potential to inhibit in vitro ruminal methanogenesis.